Deadline Nears for City’s 2026 Arbor Day Tree and Native Plant Sale

Coon Rapids, MN

The City of Coon Rapids is entering the final week of its 2026 Arbor Day Tree and Native Plant Sale, a municipally managed program aimed at expanding the city’s urban tree canopy and supporting pollinator habitats.

City officials confirmed that the ordering deadline is Friday, April 17, or earlier if inventory sells out. The program operates on a first-come, first-served basis, with limited quantities available through the city’s online ordering system.

The annual sale is coordinated through the city’s Forestry Division and is designed to provide residents with access to trees, shrubs, and native plant kits at wholesale pricing, with delivery or pickup options depending on the item type.

Inventory, Species, and Pricing

The 2026 sale includes a range of shade trees, ornamental trees, shrubs, and native plant kits selected for their adaptability to Minnesota’s climate and their contribution to long-term ecological stability.

Shade Trees ($125 each)
Typically sold in #10 containers at approximately six feet tall, available species include:

• Redmond Linden
• Kentucky Coffeetree
• Sugar Maple
• Ginkgo
• Ironwood

Ornamental and Fruit Trees ($125 each)

• ‘Starlite’ Crabapple
• Eastern Redbud
• North Star Cherry
• Superior Plum

Shrubs ($30 each)
Sold in #2 containers at approximately two feet tall:

• Black Chokeberry
• Red Twig Dogwood

Native Plant Kits ($60 each)
Each kit contains 36 plants, consisting of six species with six plants per species. Available kits include:

• Short and Tidy Kit
• Songbird Special Kit
• Shade Garden Kit
• Rusty Patched Bumble Bee Kit

Pollinator Seed Mix ($70)
A 4.5-pound mix designed to cover approximately 1,000 square feet, containing more than 30 species of wildflowers.

All listed prices include tax. Tree and shrub purchases also include direct-to-door delivery.

Delivery and Pickup Schedule

Trees and shrubs will be delivered to residents’ homes during the week of April 27, with city staff placing the plants at the address provided during checkout.

Native plant kits must be picked up in person:

• Date: Saturday, May 16
• Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Location: Public Works Garage, 1831 111th Avenue NW

Residents unable to attend the scheduled pickup must contact the city by May 8 to arrange an alternative. Orders not claimed may be forfeited.

Purchase Limits and Ordering Requirements

To ensure equitable distribution, the city has established purchase limits:

• Maximum of four trees or shrubs per household
• No limit on native plant kits or pollinator seed mixes

All orders must be completed and paid for online through the city’s official portal. As part of the ordering process, residents are required to view a short instructional video on proper tree planting techniques.

Safety and Planting Guidance

City officials are also emphasizing safety and proper site selection as part of the program.

Residents are required to contact Gopher State One Call at least two business days prior to digging to identify underground utility lines.

The city’s Sustainability Commission continues to promote the “Right Tree, Right Place” principle, advising residents to consider factors such as overhead power lines, soil conditions, and mature tree size before selecting species.

Environmental Purpose

The Arbor Day sale is part of a broader city strategy to strengthen Coon Rapids’ urban forest and environmental resilience.

According to city materials, tree planting contributes to:

• Improved air quality
• Stormwater absorption and runoff reduction
• Urban heat mitigation
• Habitat support for pollinators and wildlife

The inclusion of native plant kits reflects increasing emphasis on pollinator conservation, particularly in response to regional declines in bee populations and biodiversity.

Final Ordering Window

With the April 17 deadline approaching and inventory limited, city officials are encouraging residents to place orders promptly.

The program represents one of the city’s primary annual efforts to distribute environmental stewardship across neighborhoods, enabling residents to directly contribute to long-term canopy growth and ecological sustainability.

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